[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 149 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12677-S12678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ELLEN FALLON--2005 MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARD 
                                 WINNER

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Ellen Fallon, a 
sixth an eighth grade teacher of advanced mathematics at Carson Middle 
School in Carson City, who was selected as one of two winners from 
Nevada of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award for 
2005.
  The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program, which 
began in the early 1980s, provides public recognition and financial 
rewards to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and 
other education professionals who strive for excellence in education. 
By honoring outstanding educators from across the United States, this 
program seeks to attract, develop, motivate, and retain talented 
educators.
  Strong mathematics instruction is an integral part of preparing 
students for the global economy. Her dedication to this goal is what 
makes Mrs. Fallon's recognition all the more significant.
  Carson Middle School is all in the family for the Fallons: Mrs. 
Fallon is an alumni, her husband is a sixth grade English teacher, and 
her daughtr is a seventh grade student at the school.
  I trust that her example will influence others to pursue teaching 
excellence and applaud the Milken Family Foundation for recognizing her 
leadership. I salute Ellen Fallon for her service and dedication to the 
students of Carson Middle School, and extend my best wishes for a 
successful future.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to 20 young 
Americans who have been killed in Iraq since October 7. This brings to 
477 the number of soldiers who were either from California or based in 
California who have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. This 
represents 23 percent of all U.S. deaths in Iraq.


                    Lance Corporal Sergio H. Escobar

  At age 18, Lance Corporal Escobar died October 9 from an improvised 
explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy 
forces in Ar Ramadi.
  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his 
unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division.
  He was from Pasadena, CA.


                   Staff Sergeant Jerry L. Bonifacio

  At age 28, Staff Sergeant Bonifacio died in Baghdad on October 10 
when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his 
checkpoint.
  He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th 
Infantry Regiment, Dublin, CA.
  He was from Vacaville, CA.


                     Specialist Timothy D. Watkins

  At age 24, Specialist Watkins died in Ar Ramadi on October 15 when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near their Bradley Fighting 
Vehicle during combat operations.

[[Page S12678]]

  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd 
Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA.
  He was from San Bernardino, CA.


                  Lance Corporal Christopher M. Poston

  At age 20, Lance Corporal Poston died October 17 from a nonhostile 
vehicle accident in Hit.
  He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine 
Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, CA.


                   Lance corporal Chad R. Hildebrandt

  At age 22, Lance Corporal Hildebrandt died October 17 from small-arms 
fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al 
Rutbah.
  He was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st 
Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division.


                  lance corporal daniel scott r. bubb

  At age 19, Lance Corporal Bubb died October 17 from small-arms fire 
while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Rutbah.
  He was assigned to the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 
1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division.


                        Sergeant Arthur A. Mora

  At age 23, Sergeant Mora died in Balad on October 19 when his Humvee 
was struck by enemy indirect fire during patrol operations.
  He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st 
Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA.
  He was from Pico Rivera, California.


                        Sergeant Jacob D. Dones

  At age 21, Sergeant Dones died in Hit on October 20 when his forward 
operating base was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.
  He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 
Fort Irwin, CA.


                   Lance corporal Jonathan R. Spears

  At age 21, Lance Corporal Spears died October 23 from enemy small-
arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ar 
Ramadi.
  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine 
Division, Twentynine Palms, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his 
unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division.


                        Sergeant James Witkowski

  At age 32, Sergeant Witkowski died on October 26 near Ashraf of 
injuries sustained there earlier that day when an improvised explosive 
device detonated near his Humvee during convoy operations.
  He was assigned to the Army Reserve's 729th Transportation Company, 
Fresno, CA.


                      Captain Michael J. Mackinnon

  At age 30, Captain Mackinnon died on October 27 in Baghdad when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during convoy 
operations.
  He was a Regular Army soldier assigned to the Army National Guard's 
1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA.


                        Colonel William W. Wood

  At age 44, Colonel Wood died in Baghdad on October 27 when he was 
directing security operations in response to the detonation of an 
improvised explosive device. During this response, a second improvised 
explosive device detonated near his position.
  He was a Regular Army soldier assigned to the Army National Guard's 
1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA.


                      Captain Raymond D. Hill, II

  At age 39, Captain Hill died in Baghdad on October 29 when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol 
operations.
  He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th 
Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA.
  He was from Turlock, CA.


                        Sergeant Shakere T. Guy

  At age 23, Sergeant Guy died in Baghdad on October 29 when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol 
operations.
  He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th 
Infantry Regiment, Modesto, CA. He was from Pomona, CA.


                  Sergeant First class Jonathan Tessar

  At age 36, Sergeant Tessar died in Al Mahmudiyah on October 31 when 
an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol 
operations.
  He was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He 
was from Simi Valley, CA.


                        Sergeant Daniel A. Tsue

  At age 27, Sergeant Tsue died November 1 from an improvised explosive 
device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Ar Ramadi.
  He was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine 
Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton, CA. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
his unit was attached to the 2nd Force Support Group.


         Petty Officer Second Class allan M. Cundunga Espiritu

  At age 28, Petty Officer Espiritu died November 1 from an improvised 
explosive device while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of 
Ar Ramadi.
  He was assigned to 2nd Force Service Support Group, II Marine 
Expeditionary Force. He was from Oxnard, CA.


                       Captain Michael D. Martino

  At age 32, Captain Martino died November 2 when his Super Cobra 
helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and 
stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi.
  He was with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine 
Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, CA. During 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine 
Aircraft Wing.


                     Major Gerald M. Bloomfield, II

  At age 38, Major Bloomfield died November 2 when his Super Cobra 
helicopter crashed while flying in support of security and 
stabilization operations near Ar Ramadi.
  He was with Marine Light-Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine 
Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Pendleton, CA. During 
Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to the 2nd Marine 
Aircraft Wing.


                  Sergeant First Class James F. Hayes

  At age 48, Sergeant Hayes died in Taji on November 6 when an 
improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol 
operations.
  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 
101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He was from Barstow, CA.
  Mr. President, 477 soldiers who were either from California or based 
in California have been killed while serving our country in Iraq. I 
pray for these young Americans and their families.
  I would also like to pay tribute to the two soldiers from or based in 
California who have died while serving our country in Operation 
Enduring Freedom since October 7.


                    Private First Class Joseph Cruz

  At age 22, Private First Class Cruz died in Bagram, Afghanistan, on 
October 16, of non combat-related injuries sustained in an accident at 
Organ-E, Afghanistan, on October 15.
  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 
Vicenza, Italy. He was from Whittier, CA.


               Petty Officer Third Class Fabricio Moreno

  At age 26, Petty Officer Moreno was killed Oct. 14 in a single-
vehicle accident in Manda Bay, Kenya.
  He was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, Port 
Hueneme, CA. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he was deployed 
as part of a Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa construction 
team.
  Mr. President, 34 soldiers who were either from California or based 
in California have been killed while serving our country in Operation 
Enduring Freedom. I pray for these Americans and their families.

                          ____________________